Eagles Drop Opener, Rockets Roll

Mercer County allowed three big plays which propelled Princeville to win the season opener 12-8 at the Soule Bowl in East Moline Saturday afternoon. The Golden Eagles lead 8-0 late in the second quarter after Braden Williams broke off a 50 yard touchdown run earlier in the period.  Mercer County had an opportunity to tack on another score but was stopped on the one yard line.  Princeville then brook off a long run on third and long and then with no time on the clock, the Princes Matt Streitmatter connected with Devin Hoerr, who got behind the Golden Eagles defense, on a 45 yard touchdown pass.  Mercer County stopped Princeville’s two point conversion to lead 8-6 at halftime.  Then in the third quarter, Streitmatter scrambled on third and long and connected on a 76 yard pass play that put the Princesses on top to stay.  Mercer County drove the length of the field on their final possession but on fourth and goal at the Princeville 10 the pass was incomplete giving Princeville the win.

Rockridge dominated the action as they rolled to a 26-6 victory over Orion in Jeff Henry’s first game as head coach of the Rockets.  Rockridge scored first on a Brayden Deem one yard pass to Nate Henry.  Deem then connected with Henry on a five yard pass early in the second quarter for a 13-0 lead.  The Rockets scored twice more before Orion finally got on the board.  Rockridge held Orion to just 134 yards of total offense.

In other action, Ridgewood jumped out to a 28-8 halftime lead enroute to a 48-22 win over Stark County.

In soccer, Orion-Sherrard beat Abingdon-Avon 6-0.